CHAPTER 51: CHAPTER 51: QUITE INTERESTING

The mansion gates opened.

Hee Ming slowly walked in and said, "Mr. Ye, I’ve brought the people. Shall I let them in?"

"Let them in!" Ye Fei nodded with a smile.

Hee Ming moved aside immediately, and Youu Xiaocan, Hee Youliang, and Dong Youcai—the three members of the Thief Sect—entered gingerly.

Youu Xiaocan seemed relatively composed, with only a trace of surprise and unease in her eyes, but she was not excessively fearful.

In contrast, Hee Youliang and Dong Youcai were a completely different story.

During yesterday’s martial arts match at the United Commerce, the two of them were so terrified they nearly wet their pants. Hearing that Ye Fei was summoning them sent them collapsing to the ground.

If Hee Ming hadn’t sent someone to drag them here, they probably would have fled the North Suburb overnight.

Now, seeing Ye Fei sitting in the hall on the sofa, their regret was so palpable it felt like their guts had twisted into knots. They could only look helplessly at Youu Xiaocan, begging through their expressions for her to intercede, relying on what seemed to be her better rapport with Ye Fei.

Ye Fei gazed at the trio and pointed at the sofa across from him, smiling. "Sit down and let’s talk."

Though clearly uncomfortable, Youu Xiaocan complied by sitting down obediently.

As for Hee Youliang and Dong Youcai, they didn’t dare sit and instead stood trembling behind Youu Xiaocan.

Observing their fear-stricken behavior, Ye Fei smiled faintly and said, "It’s been a while, gentlemen!"

Hua!

The two of them buckled instantly, their knees collapsing as they knelt before Ye Fei. They began kowtowing and crying, wailing, "Mr. Ye, we were blind and failed to recognize Taishan! We were despicable fools! You’re a man of magnanimity; please show mercy and let us go!"

But Ye Fei didn’t deign to reply, watching them with a detached expression.

To Ye Fei, they were mere ants, not even worth his attention. But his display of intimidation was deliberate and measured.

Thus, Hee Youliang and Dong Youcai continued kowtowing, praying for mercy.

Unable to watch any longer, Youu Xiaocan spoke up. "Ye Fei, what exactly do you want? I admit they were in the wrong, but are you really going to kill them?"

"Kill them? That does sound like an option." Ye Fei said coolly.

Beside him, Hee Ming barked, "Mr. Ye is an Innate Martial King! The prestige of a Martial King is not to be violated!"

Hearing this, Youu Xiaocan’s face turned pale. As someone privy to countless martial arts tournament data, how could she not understand the gravity of the phrase?

Hee Youliang and Dong Youcai were paralyzed with fear and quickly resumed their incessant kowtowing.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed. When Hee Youliang and Dong Youcai had battered their heads bloody from bowing...

Ye Fei sighed and said, "Enough. If not for Youu Xiaocan serving as my guide to the United Commerce’s location, it would have cost me precious time. I’ll spare you if you agree to accomplish one task for me."

A task?

They didn’t have to die?

The two stared blankly for several seconds but hastily caught on when Ye Fei’s expression began showing signs of impatience. They scrambled to pledge eagerly: "We’re willing! We’re willing!"

"Good. Your Thief Sect is renowned for its vast intelligence network, and I’m well aware of it. What I need now is a Life Soul—a mountain spirit or wild creature type would be ideal. Do you have any leads?" Ye Fei asked.

A mountain spirit?

Hee Youliang and Dong Youcai froze.

They lacked comprehension of martial artist ranks and strength, let alone knowledge about mountain spirits. So they looked pleadingly at Youu Xiaocan.

Youu Xiaocan was also taken aback by Ye Fei’s peculiar request.

As someone who had witnessed Ye Fei’s power in the arena, which seemed god-like and beyond mortal comprehension, she reasoned that such a request was not outlandish for someone of his caliber.

She began to ponder deeply.

Ye Fei remained unperturbed as he waited.

He understood that in this modern age of technology, not to mention mountain spirits, even martial artists were unknown to most ordinary people.

His inquiry was more of a gamble than a certainty.

If there were leads, that’d be ideal; otherwise, he wouldn’t be overly disappointed.

More time passed.

Just when Hee Youliang and Dong Youcai were slipping into despair, Youu Xiaocan finally spoke up. "I may have some clues, but I’m not sure if it’s what you’re looking for."

"Go on," Ye Fei said, smiling.

"Not far from the North Suburb is Lingshan. In the past two years, there have been recurrent incidents of tiger attacks," Youu Xiaocan began.

"Tiger attacks? That alone isn’t enough to prove anything," Ye Fei said with a faint smile.

"Indeed, tiger attacks don’t necessarily mean much. But I happen to know the matter isn’t that simple."

Lifting her gaze to glance at Ye Fei, Youu Xiaocan, seeing no interruption, continued, "First, these attacks have occurred sixteen times in two years, all on the same date—July 15th, the Ghost Festival. The timing is far too coincidental."

"Second, the city *government in Lingshan City has organized multiple search teams to comb Lingshan thoroughly. Yet, not only has there been no evidence of tigers, but no traces of any large animals have ever been found! By today’s technological standards, that makes absolutely no sense!"

Ye Fei frowned slightly. "If it’s as you say, why haven’t the news outlets reported on it?"

"Because Lingshan City’s Mayor Zhao Xianmin is nearing retirement and wants to keep his reputation intact. This matter has been suppressed for that reason," Youu Xiaocan explained.

Suppressed?

Ye Fei didn’t find this surprising.

Although he wasn’t directly involved in political affairs, he knew that sixteen tiger attack incidents in two years, unresolved to this day, could easily ruin a mayor’s career.

Still, this didn’t conclusively point to anything particularly relevant.

To Ye Fei, whose cultivation time was invaluable, chasing meaningless leads wasn’t something he took lightly.

Perhaps sensing Ye Fei’s skepticism, Youu Xiaocan bit her lip and said hesitantly, "Actually... I can procure photos of the tiger attacks, but the cost is beyond what I can afford. If you agree to spare us, I can try!"

"Cost?"

Ye Fei chuckled.

With the assets from Su Province’s thirteen relinquished elites now under his control, Ye Fei’s wealth might not rival entire nations but was sufficient to establish him as a major force in the province.

So he replied, "Money is not an issue. Just get me the photos—quickly!"

"No problem. Fifty thousand. Transfer the money to me now, and I’ll deliver the photos immediately!" Youu Xiaocan said.

Ye Fei glanced at Hee Ming, who promptly grasped the instruction and stepped aside to make a call. After verifying Youu Xiaocan’s account details, he transferred the fifty thousand.

Upon receiving the funds, Youu Xiaocan navigated her phone briefly, and soon a photograph was sent over.

Ye Fei inspected the image of the dark silhouette of a beast and broke into a smile.

"A tiger’s accomplice? Interesting," he said.